Please Note: The Treasury Department has moved the IRS deadline for filing taxes from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will now have additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties.

Tax Form Changes and Where You Can Get Them

January 27, 2020, marked the start of the new tax season. Besides the annual inflation adjustments and increased standardized deduction that you can expect when filing your 2019 tax return, the Internal Revenue Service has also introduced some changes to the forms that you may need to file. Here’s a brief summary of what to expect:

• There are now three supplemental schedules to Form 1040 instead of six: Schedule 1, Schedule 2, and Schedule 3.
   
• With the enactment of P.L. 115-123, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, taxpayers who are age 65 or older now have the option of filing Form 1040-SR as an alternative to Form 1040.

Instructions and booklets containing Form 1040, Form 1040-SR, and the three Schedule supplements are available in the Social Science and History Department at Parkway Central Library, as well as some neighborhood libraries. Please call your local neighborhood library ahead of your visit to confirm form availability.

Alternatively, IRS forms and instructions can also be obtained by submitting an online order through the IRS website or by calling 1-800-829-3676.

The Free Library of Philadelphia can no longer obtain Pennsylvania state tax forms and instructions, or the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate form (PA-1000) due to policy changes with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.

Alternatively, individual taxpayers may still be able to obtain Pennsylvania state forms using one of the following methods:

• Viewing and printing forms online
   
• Ordering forms online
   
• Submitting a telephone request: 1-888-728-2937
   
• Submitting a written request:

PA Department of Revenue
Tax Forms Service Unit
1854 Brookwood St
Harrisburg, PA 17104-2244

• Visiting one of Philadelphia’s State District Offices (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Call ahead to verify form availability.
  • Philadelphia – Center City
    STE 204A (Inheritance Tax Office in Suite 204B)
    110 N 8th St
    Philadelphia, PA 19107-2412
    215-560-2056
     
  • Philadelphia Northeast
    Academy Plaza Shopping Center
    3240 Red Lion Road
    Philadelphia, PA 19113-1109
    215-821-1860
     

Pennsylvania tax forms are available after the start of the new tax season. The 2019 Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PA-1000) form will be available in February.

Need Filing Assistance This Tax Season?

These local organizations will be on hand to assist your tax preparation. All sites require you to bring required documentation for filing:

• Campaign for Working Families
  Tax sites open now. No appointments needed at most sites. View locations with their interactive map.
   
• AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program
  Tax sites are now open for low to moderate-income taxpayers. No age limitation. Site hours may change on a weekly basis and appointments are usually required. Please visit the map for site hours and appointment contact information.
   
• Parkway Central Library will also be hosting our fifth annual Financial Wellness Day for free tax preparation and financial planning resources on Saturday, March 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This fair is offered through our partnership with the Campaign for Working Families and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.

Additional options for free or reduced-cost tax filing:

• Individuals earning under $66,000 annually may file for free using the United Way and H&R Block’s MyFreeTaxes, available for Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents.
   
• The Internal Revenue Service’s Free File program offers two filing options based upon income. 

Don’t Forget the Earned Income Tax Credit!

Taxpayers between the ages of 25 and 65, as well as for those who may have a qualifying child, may be eligible for the federal EITC.